First look at how the 2026 Indy 500 field is shaping up

The IndyCar Series is getting close to having its traditional number of 33 starters for May’s Indianapolis 500, but has some work to do before the 11 rows of three are locked in place.

The current count is 30 cars, with 25 of those belonging to the 25 full-time entries for the season. Building on those 25 from IndyCar’s 10 season-long teams, the other expanded list starts with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, which has two Chevy-powered cars headed back to the Speedway with Jack Harvey confirmed for one and the second – expected to be driven by Conor Daly – taking the count to 27.

Arrow McLaren’s bringing its Chevy-powered Indy 500 special back with Ryan Hunter-Reay to make 28 entries and Ed Carpenter is chasing his first Indy victory with ECR’s Chevy-powered car, which moves the list to 29. From there, the 30th entry belongs to four-time Indy winner Helio Castroneves in Meyer Shank Racing’s Honda-powered car.

It’s safe to expand the list to 31 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Although it hasn’t been announced, two-time Indy winner Takuma Sato is expected be back in a Honda-powered RLL car.

Getting to 32 is expected to happen with Andretti Global, which has the car Marco Andretti piloted prior to his recent retirement. The Formula 2-bound Colton Herta has been among the rumored options, and other drivers have expressed a serious interest in wielding the car. The team isn’t ready to confirm its fourth entry, but it has been consistent in telling interested drivers that it isn’t available for hire.

“In the past, Andretti Global has fielded a fourth car, and there’s a high probability of that happening again, but there’s nothing to formally announce,” team principal Ron Ruzewski told RACER.

From there, getting to 33 becomes harder to achieve. But it isn’t impossible.

PREMA Racing is the first option to explore. The 2025 Indy 500 pole-winning team is based near the Speedway, has all of its cars, nearly 30 staff members onsite, and could be activated by IndyCar to play a role this year if the team doesn’t spark to life on its own.

Timing is the pressing matter. If PREMA IndyCar is able to swiftly complete the transaction that would allow its current leadership to restart the program under a different name, competing at Indianapolis as a two-car effort should be possible. If the sale process drags on, readying a two-car effort would be a significant hurdle that could force the team to go with one car for the Speedway and re-introduce the second car shortly after May.

Most drivers seeking a seat for the Indy 500 are known to have contacted PREMA, which is encouraging and would give the team an array of options to consider if it’s able to return.

If PREMA’s not in play, two-car teams like AJ Foyt Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing have told RACER they are willing to put a third car in the field to ensure the Indy 500 has its 33rd entry and maintains its 33-car tradition.

Katherine Legge, Stefan Wilson, Devlin DeFrancesco and Jacob Abel are said to be the most active among those who are exploring their options.